Seen a few other posts on here from owners of new 2012 175BR's so I figured I'd add my $.02 and share my experiences with the group on a 2012 175 BR that I purchased in late June. Overall I'm happy with the boat, but as with any major purchase, there are some things that I wish happened differently.
I'm not new to boating; grew up boating on grandfather's Startcraft holiday 14 with and after he passed, continued boating in it with my father & brother.
When the wife & I were dating and during our 1st few years of marriage we keep boating, then the kids can along and changed everything. Girls are now 10 & 14 and we're getting back into the boating scene, and because of it's size / age the old starcraft just doesn't cut the mustard.
For the past few years been doing a lot of looking at used boats, but because the family owns a boathouse on Canandaigua Lake (Finger Lakes, NY) we were limited to an overall length of less than 20ft.
We pretty much had locked into a dealer who had (2) 2009 Maxium 1800's ($17,500) and a 2009 Sea Ray 175 ($20K). I'd done a bunch of research on the boats, including hunting done previous owners, as all had been taken in on trade. One Saturday we were getting ready to start doing some sea trials, when the Maxium we were leaning towards got purchased by a young couple who walked in off the street and put a down payment on a credit card (found out later they couldn't cut the financing, so last I knew boat was still on the lot). Because of that, my wife jokingly asked the salesman if he could give us the other Maximum for the cost of a 170 BR parked on the showroom floor. That opened up a whole new round of discussions, and that lead us to end up purchasing a 2012 175BR for $ 19,000 (before Factory Rebate) plus tax & dealers fees, etc. I did pay an extra 750 for an additional 4 years of warranty through the financing company.
The Boat has the 3 liter Mercruiser TKS attached to an Alpha 1 outdrive, extended factory swim platform, factory Jensen AM/FM stereo with the Ipod adapter (also wired for satellite and additional speakers), hull side storage nets, Full carpeting, bow / cockpit covers, Bimini top and Karavan trailer.
Waiting to get some work done on the boathouse, so until then we've been trailering it. So far no boo-boo's at the ramp, but have seen some interesting things. Never thought I would be trailering a boat this much, but she pulls easy, and we're actually looking to hit a few other of the Finger Lakes this season, and even talking of some longer trips next year with her. The wife and kids have the launch / retrieve routine down pretty good, so that makes a huge difference.
The bad:
Gauges. I've already installed an hour meter, I see that the engine is wired for oil, temp & trim (but don't appear to be extended to helm) I'm thinking this winter I'll be adding some multi-gauges. This is my first stern drive, and with the swim platform, it's impossible to tell if outdrive is trimmed. Because of the location of our boathouse and other shallow water areas I travel, really want to know where it's trimmed at. Gas gauge is also questionable, seems to flutter a lot, and not give a true reading.
Helm seat: I'm 6'. The Maximums had bolsters... makes a huge difference in visibility.
Lack of Bow Cleats for anchoring; seems to always get turned sideways in the wind because only cleat to anchor with is mid-ship.
Slow speed handling: It's a shallow V, so she does wander around some.
Dealer used the boat on the show rounds during the spring. There was a stain on the carpet that wouldn't come out, but not very noticeable; it helped with the price.
Slight step going forward past helm to bow seats: It's not a toe stubber, but just enough to catch the bottom of the foot as you step across it.
Trailer issues:
Swing-away hitch was "backwards", it was set-up to swing towards the trailer jack; by reversing the position of the bolts and pin, I set mine up to swing the other direction, so that it folds flush against the trailer frame. Also not impressed with the poly wheel fenders, once they get a few years of life on them, I have a feeling they're gonna break if someone uses them as a step.
The Good:
Swim platform is awesome. No worries about kicking the stern drive, and it makes getting in and out of the water so much easier. Right side rear seat cushion is removable, making an easy step and keeping footprints off the vinyl.
New style engine cover. Great for coolers or tackle box. Just need to remind kids that it's not a step. There is some engine noise, but never having an I/O I have nothing to compare it too.
Snappy with 4 of us on board. Quick to come up to plane; it's not Grandpa's old tinny.
Upgrades that are on the list: Fish finder/sounder, dual batteries, install a Skeg Pro, LED courtesy lights, and install a cleat or 2 up front for anchoring. A bigger project that I'm thinking about (from another post on this board) is a carpeted deck that I can drop into the bow with a base for a trolling motor and pedestal seat. Would like to eventually set-up some type of removable frame for down riggers and a copper reel (been a long time since I last "pulled copper").
Couple of questions for others who have purchased new boats recently and their experiences with the dealer and information / equipment offered :
Safety equipment: Did boat come equipped ? or were you on your own ? Any "help" or suggestions on what was needed ?
Trailing info : Any lessons/tips ? Advise on launching/retrieving ? Transom straps? Spare tires? Hitches ? Wiring adapter ?
I'm not new to boating; grew up boating on grandfather's Startcraft holiday 14 with and after he passed, continued boating in it with my father & brother.
When the wife & I were dating and during our 1st few years of marriage we keep boating, then the kids can along and changed everything. Girls are now 10 & 14 and we're getting back into the boating scene, and because of it's size / age the old starcraft just doesn't cut the mustard.
For the past few years been doing a lot of looking at used boats, but because the family owns a boathouse on Canandaigua Lake (Finger Lakes, NY) we were limited to an overall length of less than 20ft.
We pretty much had locked into a dealer who had (2) 2009 Maxium 1800's ($17,500) and a 2009 Sea Ray 175 ($20K). I'd done a bunch of research on the boats, including hunting done previous owners, as all had been taken in on trade. One Saturday we were getting ready to start doing some sea trials, when the Maxium we were leaning towards got purchased by a young couple who walked in off the street and put a down payment on a credit card (found out later they couldn't cut the financing, so last I knew boat was still on the lot). Because of that, my wife jokingly asked the salesman if he could give us the other Maximum for the cost of a 170 BR parked on the showroom floor. That opened up a whole new round of discussions, and that lead us to end up purchasing a 2012 175BR for $ 19,000 (before Factory Rebate) plus tax & dealers fees, etc. I did pay an extra 750 for an additional 4 years of warranty through the financing company.
The Boat has the 3 liter Mercruiser TKS attached to an Alpha 1 outdrive, extended factory swim platform, factory Jensen AM/FM stereo with the Ipod adapter (also wired for satellite and additional speakers), hull side storage nets, Full carpeting, bow / cockpit covers, Bimini top and Karavan trailer.
Waiting to get some work done on the boathouse, so until then we've been trailering it. So far no boo-boo's at the ramp, but have seen some interesting things. Never thought I would be trailering a boat this much, but she pulls easy, and we're actually looking to hit a few other of the Finger Lakes this season, and even talking of some longer trips next year with her. The wife and kids have the launch / retrieve routine down pretty good, so that makes a huge difference.
The bad:
Gauges. I've already installed an hour meter, I see that the engine is wired for oil, temp & trim (but don't appear to be extended to helm) I'm thinking this winter I'll be adding some multi-gauges. This is my first stern drive, and with the swim platform, it's impossible to tell if outdrive is trimmed. Because of the location of our boathouse and other shallow water areas I travel, really want to know where it's trimmed at. Gas gauge is also questionable, seems to flutter a lot, and not give a true reading.
Helm seat: I'm 6'. The Maximums had bolsters... makes a huge difference in visibility.
Lack of Bow Cleats for anchoring; seems to always get turned sideways in the wind because only cleat to anchor with is mid-ship.
Slow speed handling: It's a shallow V, so she does wander around some.
Dealer used the boat on the show rounds during the spring. There was a stain on the carpet that wouldn't come out, but not very noticeable; it helped with the price.
Slight step going forward past helm to bow seats: It's not a toe stubber, but just enough to catch the bottom of the foot as you step across it.
Trailer issues:
Swing-away hitch was "backwards", it was set-up to swing towards the trailer jack; by reversing the position of the bolts and pin, I set mine up to swing the other direction, so that it folds flush against the trailer frame. Also not impressed with the poly wheel fenders, once they get a few years of life on them, I have a feeling they're gonna break if someone uses them as a step.
The Good:
Swim platform is awesome. No worries about kicking the stern drive, and it makes getting in and out of the water so much easier. Right side rear seat cushion is removable, making an easy step and keeping footprints off the vinyl.
New style engine cover. Great for coolers or tackle box. Just need to remind kids that it's not a step. There is some engine noise, but never having an I/O I have nothing to compare it too.
Snappy with 4 of us on board. Quick to come up to plane; it's not Grandpa's old tinny.
Upgrades that are on the list: Fish finder/sounder, dual batteries, install a Skeg Pro, LED courtesy lights, and install a cleat or 2 up front for anchoring. A bigger project that I'm thinking about (from another post on this board) is a carpeted deck that I can drop into the bow with a base for a trolling motor and pedestal seat. Would like to eventually set-up some type of removable frame for down riggers and a copper reel (been a long time since I last "pulled copper").
Couple of questions for others who have purchased new boats recently and their experiences with the dealer and information / equipment offered :
Safety equipment: Did boat come equipped ? or were you on your own ? Any "help" or suggestions on what was needed ?
Trailing info : Any lessons/tips ? Advise on launching/retrieving ? Transom straps? Spare tires? Hitches ? Wiring adapter ?
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